From the comforts of his office to the different agricultural fields of Kanilai, as a tradition President Jammeh did not take time to rest as he observes yet another annual leave. The Gambian leader is undertaking a massive agricultural activity in his home village of Kanilai, a move that further   demonstrates his desire and willingness to make the Gambia food self sufficient in the shortest possible time.

Hectares upon hectares of different crops were sown and are almost nearing weeding. Due to the size of the farms and the benefits attached to the venture it is always a pride for the masses when they are given the chance to manifest their solidarity with President Jammeh’s call to keep hunger at bay.

Different institutions and departments were in Kanilai over the weekend to further compliment President Jammeh’s farming activities. At the bean field were the staff of the Office of the President. The enthusiastic men and women rendered   valuable service to the President here, by weeding a large portion of   his bean field. The weeding of the bean field will not only create an enabling space for the crop to grow and thrive well but will also increase productivity.

The Secretary General and Head of Civil Service Abdoulie Sallah led the staff of the Office of the President to the site. Speaking to the press, the seasoned civil servant agreed that tilling the land is the only way through which the Gambia can achieve household food security and by extension be a grain basket in the sub region. The President’s call for the citizenry to till the land according to the Secretary General did only come with the required machinery for the masses but with inspiration and leadership by example. If the President is taking a leave to undertake intensive agricultural activities Mr. Sallah said, he sees no reason why ordinary Gambians should not.

Dr. Njogu Bah Secretary to Cabinet attested to the fact that the President’s call is making a great impact for the fact that many households have now passed the stage of going hungry. As Gambians and patriotic citizens Dr. Njogu Bah said it is fitting and prudent for them to show their solidarity with President Jammeh’s back to anti-hunger crusade.

Besides the enthusiastic workers from the Office of the President is the staff of the Personnel Management Office. Taken aback by the numerous farming activities being undertaken by the Gambian leader the Permanent Secretary Omar .G. Sallah expressed their resolve to further compliment Sheikh Professor Jammeh’s clarion call for Gambians to grow more of what they eat.  

Just next the bean field were hectares of Nerica rice. Here staff of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education headed by its Deputy Permanent Secretary Kunkung Jobarteh were out to weed a large portion of the farm.

Meeting the scores of volunteers at the different farms the President His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh shook hands with the volunteers in appreciation of the move they have taken and for showing solidarity with his call that aims at making the Gambia the land of plenty. President Jammeh hailed the workers for their efforts and maintained that his call for the people to till the land is for the interest and betterment of all Gambians. Still in appreciation of their patriotic move the Gambian leader out of his generosity donated bulls and cash amounts to the scores of institutions and departments who participated in the weekend farming activities.

From the Nerica rice field, the Gambian leader proceeded to the Njeffy rice field where members of Woni Sisters and the Soldiers' Wives Association were busy uprooting grass from the rice field to allow the rice do well. Here too the President saluted the work done by the two groups. The Gambian leader’s visit to this site was intercepted with a heavy down pour but despite this he was out to meet the rest of the volunteers at the other farms.

President Jammeh’s next port of call was the millet and maize farms that span hectares. At the site were recruits of the Gambian Armed Forces. The energetic and willing working recruits did a splendid work at this millet farm as they were able to weed hectares that covered all this vast area.

Lt. Col Baboucarr Sanyang the Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Training School described the move by his institution as part of their social responsibility they too owe to the populace “with the spirit of work to finish”. Lt. Col Sanyang said they will not leave the President’s home village unless their desire is done.

While at the site President Jammeh toured the work done by the   recruits and later met them at the other side of the farm amidst chanting and clapping. In recognition of the tremendous work done by the team, the Gambian leader himself walked with the recruits from the millet farm to their base at the entrance of Kanilai.

This move by President Jammeh does not only show his love and admiration of the people but also demonstrates his closeness to the masses. The long distance walk was accompanied by songs and drumming serving to commend Gambia Armed Forces recruits and their instructors for a job well done.

Before the long distance walk came to an end it was already nightfall and regardless of this President Jammeh further proceeded to visit the Bonubore farm which was also ploughed and cultivated by a team of volunteers on the same day.

By Musa Dumbuya